What became abundantly clear last weekend is that no one is safe. As the Bills struggled mightily against the Giants as two-touchdown favorites, an unfathomable amount of Survivor selections were hanging in the balance.
While Buffalo ultimately squeezed out a win, it was a reminder that no pick is ever as easy as it looks.
That’s a fitting segue to Week 7, which looks nothing like the week that came before it. There’s a distinct lack of large favorites, which makes the selection process much more challenging.
Here’s a breakdown of the NFL week through a Survivor lens.
Survivor Week 7 Best Picks
Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals
Bet against the Cardinals. Let’s move on.
Fine, it’s not that simple.
Arizona has been frisky enough this year to give us pause. Despite doing seemingly everything in their power to tank before the season began, the Cardinals have had a pulse throughout.
Still, they have won just a single game this season, and last week’s ugly 26-9 road loss to the Rams feels more in line with what we expected to see. Traveling to a tougher road environment a week later should make for an even steeper climb.
The Seahawks are coming off a loss to the Bengals, and the offense wasn’t great in it. Being at home, however, should greatly help QB Geno Smith and crew get right.
Expect the Seahawks to win by double digits. There are no sure things, but this feels safe and it’s reflected in the NFL Week 7 odds.
Use our NFL Eliminator tips to place bets with the top NFL odds:
Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
When Bill Belichick is part of the “hot seat” discussion, it’s clear things have taken a turn.
The Patriots are 1-5 and have been outscored 93-20 over the past three weeks. The offense is a mess, the defense is out of sync, and the franchise is completely lacking life.
While the Bills nearly lost last week as massive favorites against the Giants, they avoided what would have been a Survivor bloodbath. Josh Allen struggled and was banged up some, but the offense did just enough in the end. He remains a top frontrunner in the NFL MVP odds.
Although road trips in the NFL are never easy, some are easier than others. The timing is right on this one, even if Buffalo just gave us a scare.
Survivor Week 7 Rankings Grid
Rk | Team | Grade | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Dallas Cowboys | @ Washington Commanders | A+ |
2 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | @ Carolina Panthers | A |
3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | @ Tennessee Titans | A |
4 | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns | A- |
5 | Philadelphia Eagles | @ New York Giants | A- |
6 | Pittsburgh Steelers | @ Baltimore Ravens | B+ |
7 | New Orleans Saints | Atlanta Falcons | B+ |
8 | Detroit Lions | Minnesota Vikings | B+ |
9 | Los Angeles Chargers | Kansas City Chiefs | B |
10 | Buffalo Bills | @ Miami Dolphins | B |
11 | Green Bay Packers | Chicago Bears | B |
12 | Seattle Seahawks | @ Arizona Cardinals | B |
13 | San Francisco 49ers | Los Angeles Rams | B |
14 | Denver Broncos | @ Las Vegas Raiders | B_ |
15 | Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans | B- |
16 | New England Patriots | New York Jets | B- |
17 | New York Jets | @ New England Patriots | B- |
18 | Houston Texans | @ Indianapolis Colts | B- |
19 | Las Vegas Raiders | Denver Broncos | |
20 | Los Angeles Rams | @ San Francisco 49ers | C+ |
21 | Arizona Cardinals | Seattle Seahawks | C+ |
22 | Chicago Bears | @ Green Bay Packers | C+ |
23 | Miami Dolphins | Buffalo Bills | C+ |
24 | Kansas City Chiefs | @ Los Angeles Chargers | C |
25 | Minnesota Vikings | @ Detroit Lions | C |
26 | Atlanta Falcons | @ New Orleans Saints | C- |
27 | Baltimore Ravens | Pittsburgh Steelers | D+ |
28 | New York Giants | Philadelphia Eagles | D |
29 | Cleveland Browns | @ Cincinnati Bengals | D |
30 | Tennessee Titans | Jacksonville Jaguars | D- |
31 | Carolina Panthers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | D- |
32 | Washington Commanders | Dallas Cowboys | F |
Survivor Week 7 Sleeper
Los Angeles Rams vs Pittsburgh Steelers
There aren’t many weeks in which the Rams are a viable play.
At 3-3, however, Los Angeles is off to a quietly solid start. The three losses thus far have come against the formidable 49ers, Bengals, and Eagles. Only the game versus Philadelphia was decided by more than a touchdown.
Playing Pittsburgh at home provides a golden opportunity to get above .500. While the Steelers are 3-2, their schedule has been more than favorable. Granted, they are coming off a bye and their last performance was a win over Baltimore.
But the questions surrounding this offense still loom, and the Rams seem every bit up to this challenge. If in a bind, don’t shy away from this one.
Survivor Week 7 Team to Save for the Future
Cleveland Browns @ Indianapolis Colts
Coming off a massive win against San Francisco, the expectations for the Browns’ season, even with the status of their starting quarterback up in the air, have drastically changed.
But if there were ever a potential hangover spot, this is it. Heading on the road after such a thrilling victory feels like the ultimate trap game.
Both the Browns and Colts have gotten used to playing backup QBs, and that alone makes this a bit more of a mystery. While Gardner Minshew threw three interceptions last week, he also passed for more than 300 yards.
In short, he’s capable of making this a game. And while the Browns’ defense has looked superb, this seems like one to monitor from afar.
Survivor Week 7 Chalk Team That Could Lose
Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers
It’s not a tremendous week in terms of options, which could make the Chiefs a reasonable temptation. Given the way the Chargers folded against the Cowboys, this one will only gain steam.
Indeed, head coach Brandon Staley appears to be heading closer to the hot seat if he’s not already there. But with Justin Herbert and a talented roster, this team still isn’t much fun to bet against. I wouldn’t count on Staley cracking the NFL Coach of the Year odds.
If we were seeing Kansas City at an optimal level, perhaps the feeling would be different. But after lackluster showings against the Bears, Jets, and Broncos, the Chiefs look like a shadow of their former selves.
Despite being 5-1, they don’t inspire a lot of confidence.